Mastodawn

lars' transport world Mar 7

Bonjour and goedemorgen! Yes, a bonkers thread again. 🥳 This time, it's about my personal 🇧🇪 Belgian 🚂 train challenge! The aim is to complete the 17 remaining Belgian railway lines with regular passenger services that I haven't travelled on yet. I have three days, but there are two obstacles: rerouted services around Brussels on Sat/Sun and a strike beginning on Sunday at 22:00. #TellenTotDixSept

⚠️ Deze toot heeft environ 42 heures de retard. At least I have some pictures to start with.

lars' transport world Mar 7

In my opinion, the first day of #TellenTotDixSept starts far too early. There's no time for extra photos of Namur station at 5:03. However, it is the only day with a weekday timetable and no disruptions in Brussels, so I have to collect lots of weekday-only curves today. Yes, lines and curves both count if there are passenger trains on them. The nine-coach IC from Namur to La Louvière is almost empty.

lars' transport world Mar 7

At La Louvière-Sud, it is time for the first 'first time' on this trip: The curve connecting infrastructure lines 116 at La Louvière and 117 at Manage. I have to get off at Manage, even though this S62 service would run further on untravelled railway lines. It is a short ride through the pitch-dark morning with a few other overtired passengers in this #SNCB Class 41 DMU.
🧮 First trips: 1️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 7

After a two-minute connection in Manage, I board the first Desiro of this trip. I's one of three P trains between Manage and Braine-le-Comte. These trains are the only ones using the direct line 117 between Manage and Familleureux. For a peak hour, there aren't many passengers. At Braine-le-Comte, they transfer from our P train to the corresponding P train to Brussels. I assume the Desiro is running back to Manage empty in order to serve the same line again.
🧮 First trips: 2️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 7

Diving goggles! 😍 They are known as NMBS Class 86 EMUs and are not that common. The S7 and S9 services, which bypass the Brussels north-south connection, are always a good bet. Of course, the rolling stock is not the reason for taking this train today. The S7 is the only line that passes through Brussels without running via Schuman and Luxembourg. These services only run on weekdays. I still missed the Arcaden–Delta segment of line 26.
🧮 First trips: 3️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

As the Intercity from Bordet to the airport has been cancelled, I need to change my plans. After heading back to Brussels, it's time for a different route: On weekdays, IC line 14 runs from Brussels to Aarschot, bypassing Leuven via a single-track viaduct. A typical M7 Intercity service takes me to Aarschot.
🧮 First trips: 4️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

A little while later, I'm back at Bordet again. Here, I can finally board an IC train to the airport. The airport can be accessed from both the northwest (line 36C/2) and the south (line 36C), so I don't yet know which way the train will go. Unfortunately, it turns out to be the south, which I have already done. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

The advantage is that I had planned a fallback solution. The IC trains of line 17 become an S19 service at the airport heading back to Bordet. There is no change of direction, so the train runs a loop (unlike my simplified Belgium diagram shows). Leaving the airport north-west and using the connecting curve to Bordet is what I still needed.
🧮 First trips: 5️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

After changing stations, I find myself back at Brussels North. My Intercity service arrives on platform 1 — once again, it's an M7 train. Despite the cancellations, I am back on time!
I assume that my trip is getting more interesting now because I am also travelling on entirely 'new' lines from now on. The 11:30 train to Dendermonde takes me out of the Brussels suburbs. More and more greenery can be seen between the buildings. A cycle path follows the railway.
🧮 First trips: 6️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

Travelling on new lines continues without further transfers at Dendermonde. The S34 service runs between Dendermonde and Lokeren, Sint-Niklaas and Antwerp. This is my first time travelling on the Dendermonde-Lokeren line (line 57). There will be a bus replacement service at this weekend, so I had to take this line today as well. (today: Friday)
🧮 First trips: 7️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

I hope that my favourite Belgian train does not fulfil its dedication. 🤭
#TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

Two trains later, it's time for another first time. The terminus of the L train between Bruges and the industrial area of Zeebrugge varies depending on the day of the week. I don't know any other comparable situations. At weekends and on public holidays, the train runs to Zeebrugge-Strand (line 51A). On weekdays, the terminus is Zeebrugge-Dorp (line 51A/1). I've never travelled to the latter before.
🧮 First trips: 8️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

After travelling back to Ghent-Sint-Pieters, I have a transfer time of more than 17 minutes for the first time today. In fact, I have more than an hour. Why? Because I have to wait for the first of two daily P trains, which uses the curve from the direct Gent-Brussels line 50A to Denderleeuw at Welle. It's a Desiro again, of course. Every P-train curve is done!
🧮 First trips: 9️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

After a couple of trains and a break, the S19 arrives at Brussels Luxembourg station. Why is there another detour at 20:10? The S9 and S19 services operate on the curve connecting lines 26 and 124 at Moensberg, which I haven't travelled on before. Well, I have now.
🧮 First trips: 1️⃣0️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

At Luttre, there is an unofficial transfer time of two minutes to the last S62 service to Manage (yes, the other part of line 117, which starts operating tomorrow morning). I took the risk, but I wasn't aware of the temporary overpass for changing trains. Fortunately, the conductor was kind enough to wait for me. The only drawbacks, apart from the lack of a picture, are that I can't see anything outside.
🧮 First trips: 11 #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

I arrive in Namur again at 22:54. I've been travelling for 17 hours and 53 minutes on the first day. 26 trains! 😯. I won't be able to maintain that pace. Luckily, I don't have to, as I made better progress than expected. Thanks to the two-minute transfer at Manage in the early morning, I was able to reschedule around the cancelled IC to the airport. There were lots of tight connections and lots of curves on day one. The following two days will be more interesting! #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

Day Two (Saturday) starts in the rather gloomy station of Namur again. Luckily, the train only leaves at 7:34. It almost feels like sleeping in. I am in a good mood as there are more interesting lines waiting on me today. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world

I am waiting at Charleroi-Central to board one of Belgium's two most comfortable S-trains. The S63 is operated with SNCB Class 96 EMUs and runs through the Sambre valley every two hours, even reaching France. 😍 The route looks scenic, with the river and small towns visible even in the fog. I've really been looking forward to the L130A line!
🧮 First trips: 1️⃣2️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

The international train services on the line 🇫🇷 Maubeuge - 🇧🇪 Charleroi have been 'dynamic' in recent years. The stations reveal that the importance of this line has diminished over the past decades. For a couple of years now, the S63 has been extended from the last Belgian station, Erquelinnes, to Maubeuge, enabling travel further into France. However, the transfer times are long. Today, ten passengers are waiting for the next TER for 90 minutes. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 8

After beaming to Mons, it's time for a station admiration post! #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

Line 97 to Quiévrain is served by hourly IC trains on weekdays and hourly L train on weekends. A Desiro takes me to the end of the line. A short and uneventful trip.
🧮 First trips: 1️⃣3️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

According to Wikipedia, the line to 🇧🇪 Quiévrain used to be international until 1976 (passenger trains) and until 1992 (infrastructure). Today, even cross-border bus services to 🇫🇷 Valenciennes are poor. Sometimes, I wish I could travel back in time and see what one of these former border stations used to look like. It's a shame that the former line connecting the two urban areas, which are only 30 km apart, was dismantled at the border. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

"Welkom op deze speciale treindienst naar Schaarbeek, Brussels Airport, Mechelen, Berchem en Antwerpen-Centraal!"
I'd like to take advantage of the disruption at Brussels North station this weekend. This IC uses the connection curves at Laken and Schaarbeek that are usually not used by passenger trains. Also international trains are taking the route this weekend.
🧮 First trips: Bonus! #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

Writing a 🇧🇪 thread without pictures of Antwerp's station? Nee! #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

The journey continues on the IC/L train to Hasselt. As more than half of the seats in the first-class carriage are reserved for scout groups, second-class ticket holders start using the first-class carriage. This leads to a loud discussion between the conductor and a passenger. Unfortunately, my A2 Dutch is not good enough for understanding an intense discussion in Flemish. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

Things finally get interesting after the two trainsets split at Mol: Will our train reach Hasselt? After all, it is my fourth (!) attempt to complete line 15. After leaving Mol, the first thing I notice is the incorrect announcement: 'Overpelt'. A bad omen? Not necessarily, as I finally arrive safely in Hasselt. However, there is just one drawback...
🧮 First trips: 1️⃣4️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

After...
- realising that there were track works too late (my mistake),
- cancelling the plans due to an unplanned disruption,
- our train getting disrupted near Beringen,
I finally managed to do Mol-Hasselt. However, there is a ten-minute delay. The corresponding train at Hasselt closes its doors on time (i.e. too early for me to get on) and is then waiting for an oncoming train for a bite more than two minutes. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

Rather than waiting another hour, I decide to take advantage of the situation. The next part of the journey is with De Lijn. What I really like about the Belgian bus system is that regional bus lines often connect smaller stations with each other, rather than just town centres. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

It is time for another train at Landen. The S44 service runs on the 'old' Line 36 between Landen and Liège. I always used to take the fast train between Leuven and Liège, so this line is still new to me. Due to the delay, it is pitch dark by the time we depart. There are no more lines or connecting curves in Flanders!
🧮 First trips: 1️⃣5️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

There's always time for Liège-Guillemins station admiration. 😊
#TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

In Liège, it's time to make friends with the SNCB again. I realise that the Intercity taking me 'home' to Namur is leaving earlier than usual, and that there are replacement buses to Flémalle-Haute. So...?! Due to track works, the IC trains are running via Seraing (line 125A). That was my second-to-last line! I'm finishing day two of three with only one line missing. 🥳
🧮 First trips: 1️⃣6️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

Day 2 of 3 comes to an end with 16 out of 17 first trips! I am arriving at 21:31 at Namur, 13 hours and 57 minutes after leaving in the morning. I am happy with today, as it was more interesting than just doing curves on the first day. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

The third and final day starts off relaxed, as there is only one line left! However, don't get too comfortable. I see that my last train has been cancelled, and I don't know why. It's better to be safe than sorry! Hurry up!
I take the IC train back to Liège one hour earlier than planned. As yesterday, it is diverted via Seraing (line 125A). I can finally see the surrounding former industrial areas in daylight. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

Liège is ready for spring and, so am I! ☀️
#TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

I am surprised by the unexpected beauty of Verviers-Central. #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

There it is: the train running on the last remaining line, Line 44. For some reason, the frequency of the L trains is only two hours today. Will I make it from Verviers to Spa-Géronstère? #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

Arriving on time at Spa-Géronstère means: I have travelled all the lines and curves with regular passenger trains in 🇧🇪 Belgium! 🎉 That has to be celebrated with a white-lid tea from home that I'm known for taking with me way too far! After Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Monaco, this is my fifth country I've "completed". I'm overwhelmed with pure nerd joy! And all only because I've spent too much time on Belgian trains. 😄
🧮 First trips: 1️⃣7️⃣ #TellenTotDixSept

lars' transport world Mar 9

I am glad that I still have time for a short hike through the forests from Spa. It offers great views of the city and the chance to meet locals. #TellenTotDixSept

Wrzlbrnft Mar 9

@larstransportworld Gefeliciteerd!/Félicitations !/Glückwunsch! 🎉💪

Die Stimme der Vernunft Mar 9

@larstransportworld Congratulations!

Danny Mösch Mar 9

@larstransportworld Congratulations and thanks for the report! 🥳

Tim Richards Mar 9

@larstransportworld Congrats. Now come here to Australia and do it. :)

@larstransportworld

Metz was famously designed around a military logistics plan. I wonder whether some of these were built with troop and materiel movement in mind?

Krist van Besien Mar 10

@larstransportworld as a teenager I travelled to Brussels buy train every day to go to school. In those days there were no regular services on the Western Bypass, but there was one very early morning train to Gent (which I took once after a shool party) that would go Bru Noord - Centraal - Zuid, then curve back to line 28, on the Jette and then all stops to Gent. Was weird passing through West and Pannenhuis, which were then ghost stations.

Merlin Gillard 🚋😷2d ago

@larstransportworld Just catching up on your thread today, but yes, this interrupted line is such a shame. I'm sure that there is demand on that line, and not just some local tourism.
And it looks so frustrating on OSM!

Jon Worth Mar 8

@larstransportworld this should be a Mons - Maubeuge - Charleroi train, and every hour. But you'd need to remove the bushes from the connecting curve at Maubeuge. Countries better than France and Belgium at #CrossBorderRail would do it!

lars' transport world Mar 8

@jon I find it particularly bizarre that the S63 doesn't stop at either Jeumont or Recquignies. These two towns have a combined population of 13,000 — almost as many as Thuin, which is the largest town that S63 serves. The S63 was simply extended without integration into the French network.
(Let's keep in mind that the Belgian 'IC' trains to Lille are integrated 'too much', being the only regional services for the big cities of Tourcoing, Roubaix and Villeneuve-d'Ascq due to lacking TER. 🤯)

Jon Worth Mar 8

@larstransportworld It can't stop in Jeumont for some reason about the neutral section for the voltage change being either in, or too close to, the station.

lars' transport world Mar 8

@jon too bad!

Suzanne ‘bionic’ Veerman Mar 8

@larstransportworld @jon the neutral section is in between the two pedestrians track crossings in the station. Technically a stop in Jeumont towards Maubeuge would be possible, but not the other way around. However, the city bus A service to Jeumont and Maubeuge (that has a network of dedicated bus roads for the A & B service) stops almost around the corner of Erquelinnes station at Douane and on weekdays about 1 in 3 even before the station.

@smveerman @larstransportworld @jon Is it the bus stop at Pont Noir, or has it changed in the recent years?

Suzanne ‘bionic’ Veerman Mar 9

@meduz @larstransportworld @jon Douane is closer to Erquelinnes station.

@smveerman @larstransportworld @jon Haaaa, now I remember, thanks! Indeed we sometimes had to walk to Pont Noir since Douane has less frequent stops.

Martin Hoffmann Mar 9

@jon @larstransportworld That’s presumably also a reason why the French trains from Lille can’t continuen to Erquellines? Other than “Don’t be silly”?

Jon Worth Mar 9

@partim @larstransportworld Correct. No French stock has 3kV.

Martin Hoffmann Mar 9

@jon @larstransportworld Hm, but wait. When I was there last year, the Belgian trains that ended at Erquellines were operated with DMUs. Those could go to Jeumont but presumably have no certification for France?

Jon Worth Mar 9

@partim @larstransportworld The Belgian DMUs have no certification to Jeumont. And SNCB uses those to Erquelinnes as they're short of EMUs, so use DMUs on an electrified line.

Martin Hoffmann Mar 9

@jon @larstransportworld The loss of de-facto certification of all rolling stock to the opposing cross-border station is a real shame.

@jon @larstransportworld Does that curve have trees in the track? That explains a bit more that my colleague got the answer 'that is not allowed' when requesting a train path through the curve that is still on the railway maps.

Jon Worth Mar 9

@RensBloom @larstransportworld bushes yes. It’s officially still operable. De facto isn’t.

Tor Lillqvist Mar 9

@larstransportworld Ooh. International trains between Paris and Köln (and beyond) used to run through Jeumont (fr) at least in the 1980s.